PLEASE HELP. ME and XP "sharing"

[russon]

I have just set up a wireless network with a desktop ME machine and a laptop XP. Both are connected to the Internet through a router and PC cards. The ME machine sees the XP and I can access files from the XP on it. The XP sees files from the ME but there's no icon for the machine itself in "view workgroup computers". When I click on those files I get the error message "no network path". The "shared" printer only works with whichever computer is cabled to it. I'm going nuts here!!! Any advice would be deeply appreciated.

[JackMDS]

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Settings, and Sharing.

Link to: Windows Network - Installing & Sharing. (http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html)

:cool:

[Taino718]

Hi,

Purchase an inexpensive print server from Hawkings or Linksys. Connect the print server to your network. Install printer software in all computers. Select share printer in all.

Look for another post where I give step by step details on setting up a network printer.

Next post....

[russon]

I've been too busy following instructions on the first link to say thank you! But I'm back to square one without any file sharing - the ME machine is not accessible. Baffled and getting slowly hysterical......

[Greenstead]

The exact error message is important.
If it says it cannot find the network parth then it means it does not find the PC on the IP address it expected. This can happen if its IP address changed after you mapped to its share. (e.g. if you move the PC card it will be given a new IP by the router).

You would be best to start afresh and try to keep things stable.
Power off the router.
On each PC delete anything in Network places/neighbourhood.
Ensure the PCs are set to automatic (DHCP client).
Then power up, router, then PCs. Give it 15 minutes to find itself.

The try thro the workgroup to find the PCs. If they are not there you should search for them by pcname. Then drill down to the share.

You can use the TCP checklist in my sig to help. Get the shares working first. The printer is the last to do.

[russon]

Thank you. I shall follow your advice to the letter. In desperation I've just ordered an XP Home update for the ME machine, in the hope that this will solve all my networking problems. But I'd much prefer to fix this and cancel the order!

[Taino718]

Hi,

You may want to install NetBios. Next if needed uninstall the network card and reboot. Install network card and current drivers. Follow Greenstead suggestions. Take your time Window Me takes a while to display computers on a network (My Network Places).


Next post....

[russon]

I'm still trying to follow your advice.....for which I'm extremely grateful. Most of all I hadn't realised that ME takes time to find itself! (It must be a product of the age of analysis.) I've been busy with other stuff - life has that annoying way of intervening, but will battle on.....

[russon]

Another beginner's question. Do I need a print server if the printer is connected to the desk top PC? I thought I could share it with my laptop without buying anything else. They seem expensive.

[Greenstead]

You should be able to share the printer, assuming you have a driver for XP.

[Taino718]

Hi,

You can use the printer connected to your desktop, however, it must be on all the time to be accessed. A print server connected to a network allows all members of the network to print regardless of where in the network the printer is located.

My major complaint with shared printers is that you must remember to turn on the desktop with printer attached to it, before you can access the printer.

You can also try a wireless print server. You can place the printer any where in the home or office.

Next post ......

[russon]

Thanks. That makes sense. I don't want to have to turn on the desktop each time.

I'm still battling with sharing files. Have tried everything possible. Changed the registry, password file extensions, everything, as well as everything on Greenstead's helpful list and links. I'm resigned to updating to XP and have begun transferring folders. If that doesn't solve the problem I'll tear my hair out.

Thank you very much, all of you, for your help.

[tealduck]

russon,

did you ever solve your print and file share problem? I have the same problem and trying to figure it out. Please share with me if you have solved the problem. Thanks

:o :D

[russon]

Actually it was a nightmare! Nothing worked with ME and XP - I had the engineer try that for hours. Even after updating to XP the file sharing would only work sporadically. I had the engineer over again and he also couldn't fix the problem permanently. However, after much trial and error, I discovered that the Netgear Smart Wizard configuration wasn't working consistently and used the Windows automatic configuration instead. It meant re-installing the software - and updating all the drivers helped too. It still sometimes fails - then I go through a list, firstly re-booting the router. It seems the IP address is not always allocated. But, when it works, it's great! I also discovered that it doesn't work if I turn on the desktop computer first. I may just have a very weirdly idiosyncratic set of computers.

Good luck!